MLB Player News

Contreras (ankle) resumed full activities Friday but there is still no return date in mind for him, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Contreras has been held out of action since the end of August due to issues with his left ankle. It sounds like he's beginning to feel better, but with the end of the season fast approaching and the Cubs sitting well outside the postseason race, there doesn't seem to be much urgency to rush the star catcher back into the lineup.

Gomes is not in the starting lineup for Friday's contest versus the Pirates.

Gomes will get a day off after he went 3-for-16 with a homer and three RBI while starting the last four games. P.J. Higgins will draw the start at catcher and bat seventh against Pittsburgh.

Stallings isn't starting Friday against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Stallings has been in a timeshare behind the plate recently and will retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Nick Fortes is starting at catcher and batting cleanup Friday.

Nola is not in Thursday's lineup against the Cardinals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola has hit .222 with one home run, three walks and four strikeouts in 13 September games. Luis Campusano will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

Diaz isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Giants, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Diaz is getting a breather after he went 2-for-8 with two strikeouts over the last two games. Brian Serven will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Realmuto went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's extra-inning win over the Blue Jays.

Realmuto singled and stole second base in the bottom of the sixth inning before he took Yimi Garcia deep for a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth frame, narrowing the Blue Jays' lead to 3-1. The long ball was his 21st of the season, and the catcher has now gone deep in three straight games and seven times overall in September while recording 18 steals overall on the campaign. Since the beginning of the month, Realmuto has batted .327 with seven homers, 14 RBI, nine runs and a stolen base over 16 contests.

Fortes went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

Fortes crushed a two-run homer off Marcus Stroman in the bottom of the fifth inning, delivering the Marlins a 2-0 lead. He later added a double, producing his second straight multi-hit performance. The home run was the catcher's eighth of the season and first since Aug. 24. Fortes has notched at least one hit in seven out of his last nine games, batting .306 with a home run, four RBI and seven runs scored over that stretch.

Bart isn't starting Wednesday against the Rockies.

Bart will get a day off after going 1-for-3 and scoring three runs Tuesday in Colorado. Austin Wynns will take his spot behind home plate and bat ninth.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith will sit for the third time in the past five games, and he may continue to receive more rest down the stretch with the Dodgers holding a 9.5-game lead for the best record in the National League. Austin Barnes will start behind the plate and bat seventh Wednesday.

Stallings isn't starting Wednesday against the Cubs, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stallings went 0-for-4 during Tuesday's loss to the Cubs and will retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Nick Fortes is starting behind the plate and batting seventh.